Lee-Jen W Suen1, Hao-Hsien Lee, Diana Lynn Morris. 1. 1PhD, RN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC; 2MD, Vice Superintendent, Chi Mei Hospital, Liouying, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC; 3PhD, RN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Written advance directives are not common practice in Taiwan; thus, when older adults are critically ill, family members are usually the ones to make decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. PURPOSE: This study determined how well the preferences of the family members for the older adults match the preferences of the older adults themselves with regard to life-sustaining treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative descriptive research design was used in this study. Ninety-five pairs of older adults and their families were included in the final analysis. The Life Support Preferences Questionnaire was used to measure life-sustaining preferences. Paired- sample t tests were performed to compare the mean differences between the older adults' preferences and the family members' preferences for these older adults. FINDING: Family members scored higher on life-sustaining treatment preferences than the older adults for all 32 examined items, with 23 (72%) of these items showing statistical significance. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Communication between older adults and their family members regarding life-sustaining treatment may help prevent older adults from receiving unwanted treatments.
BACKGROUND: Written advance directives are not common practice in Taiwan; thus, when older adults are critically ill, family members are usually the ones to make decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. PURPOSE: This study determined how well the preferences of the family members for the older adults match the preferences of the older adults themselves with regard to life-sustaining treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative descriptive research design was used in this study. Ninety-five pairs of older adults and their families were included in the final analysis. The Life Support Preferences Questionnaire was used to measure life-sustaining preferences. Paired- sample t tests were performed to compare the mean differences between the older adults' preferences and the family members' preferences for these older adults. FINDING: Family members scored higher on life-sustaining treatment preferences than the older adults for all 32 examined items, with 23 (72%) of these items showing statistical significance. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Communication between older adults and their family members regarding life-sustaining treatment may help prevent older adults from receiving unwanted treatments.